To know if your driver's license is a REAL ID, look for a star symbol in the upper right corner of the card. A REAL ID-compliant license or state ID will have a star marking there, which indicates it meets federal security standards set by the REAL ID Act
. Specifically:
- If your license or ID has a gold star or a star inside a state silhouette in the upper right corner, it is REAL ID-compliant
- Enhanced licenses or IDs are automatically REAL ID-compliant, even if they do not display the star
If your license does not have this star, it is not a REAL ID and cannot be used for federal purposes such as boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities after May 7, 2025
. To confirm or obtain a REAL ID, check your state's driver's licensing agency website for specific instructions and required documents, which usually include proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency
. In summary, the easiest way to verify if your license is a REAL ID is to check for the star symbol on the front of your card. If absent, your license is not a REAL ID
